Lifeboat crews in Ireland launched more than 1,000 times last year.

There was a 10% increase in the number of people brought to safety by RNLI crews.

Part of the reason was the great summer weather, which caused more people to go to beaches and lakes, as well as heading out on pleasure craft.

The RNLI reports that crews responded to 536 calls involving leisure craft users, compared to 140 calls to assist fishing vessels.

The busiest Irish lifeboat station was Lough Ree RNLI in Athlone, where the crew was launched 69 times and brought 142 people to safety. Howth RNLI was the second busiest station with 62 launches.

Divisional Operations Manager for the RNLI in Ireland, Owen Medland, says some rescues are more serious than others: